Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-04-14

What was there in the ringing voice
of the speaker, the tone of command
first assumed by the child. that con-
quered all? 1t meant the slave had
broken her bonds. and declared free
dom from tyrannical rule.
Katherine, give the girl her rights.
or she shall surely co. said the
farmer, turning to leave the room.
Gyp to go! that was a consideration
not to be thought of. She remembered
the quick step and nimble fingers that
could accomplish more in one day than
SophrOnia in a week; and, wise to her
own advantage, concluded to overlook
the present and change her tactics.
"Well, what do you want?' in a
Modified tone.
Every thing! clothes. and a chance
to become some one in the worldr'
Thus it happened that Gyr. the waif,
fought her own battle and won in the
conflict Farmer Blym had always
endeavorcd to be kind to the child, put
he was meek man, striving for peace
in his own household. where discord
ran riot, and if he had failed in the
past, he determined the future should
make ample amends. So the desired
books were obtained. and every mo-
ment Gyp could spare she spent over
their pages.
Passages from the poets of the past,
as well as those of the present, grew ia
miliar to her lips, and as she compre-
pended the grandeur and beauty her
soul grew, and the chrysalis changed
into a winged creature. Down through
the meadow at the foot of a steep ridge
there ran brook, and by its side I'M
der sweeping oak was Gyp's special
retreat. Whenever the letters chafed
too roughly, here she flew for solace,
and when the brightness as she
termed it, entered her life, this spot
was still her refuge. Sitting there she
read aloud one of Tennyson's poems,
and as she finished was startled by
hearing voice above her exclaim:
Permit me to thank you for the
pleasure received in your rendering of
that exquisite gem;' and glancing up
ward she beheld a stranger in her do
main.
II was not aware had listener, "
she replied, arising for departure.
''Pray stay" he said. Il was sitting
on rock sketching that bit OF scenery
yonder when 1 heard your voice, and
it sounded SO pathetic in the green
wood that could not think of retiring
Will you look at these?" he inquired,
stepping across the brook and opening
his portfolio.
''Are they real pictures of nature?'
she asked, as he spread them in view.
perhaps you will recognize some OF
the scenery" he rejoined.
"Why, it's around Shelbyvillem she
exclaimed, artlessly. "Here is the old
church and cliffs beyond"
He listened in an amused manner at
her naive remarks, regarding her as a
child. Then low exclamation escaped
her, and look of blank establishment
was quickly succeeded by a flush of in
dignant surprise, for here-yes, she
surely could not be mistaken-was a
picture of herself, seated under an old
oak, with hands tightly claspinga book
and eyes seemingly peering into the
mysteries of the future.
''Let me make my peace" he hastily
exclaimed, ''by offering you the sketch,
and confessing this is not the first time
l have trespassed on what judgeto be
your rightful domain. Will you grant
pardon?"
''Since you bestow the cause of
offense, l suppose l should" she re-
piled, examining the sketch the while.
He smiled, then took up the neglect
ed book.
You are lover of Tennyson, Isee, -
he said.
..Yes, admire all he has written"
"You have wonderful gift" he re-
joined. Has no one ever told you
SOP"
no." she answered, shortly, not
willing a stranger should know how
desolate her life was.
women with voices inferior to
yours have made for themselves a
name. With alittle training you would
soon repay all efforts made in your be-
half.
II have no friends she replied, eat
least none who would have confidence
enough in my ability to give encour-
agement.
Then with gentle questioning. for
Gyp, despite her sixteen years, was but
a simple child. he drew from her the
story of her sad life. Harold King
listened with strange sympathy to this
childish recital. revealing to his cult
waited mind as it did the longing of the
sou, beside him for something higher
and better than she had known.
Then, in more beautiful language
than she had ever heard. he drew glow.
ing pictures of the world about which
she had dreamed SO much; told of the
heroic lives of men and women: OF
tho nd ~ Soonorx- III